I'm lucky, I mean really lucky.

Well after 2 and a half days we made it to our new home. I dreaded thinking that I would have to spend hours in a car with 3 kids. Oh how terrible! Poor me. They're going to whine and cry and spill lots of stuff. We'll have to load and unload the car each time we stopped at the hotel. Don't even get me started on doing this with a 6 month old. Ugh! All the while I dreamed of a non-stop 3 and half hour flight straight to Nebraska.

It wasn't SO terrible. In fact there were moments that I thoroughly enjoyed. My mom and dad were great sports and stopped for every little thing and showed olympic sized amounts of patience with my kids. It also helped that my niece McGwire came along for the "ride."

 

Like I said, we arrived. Just in time to un-pack the entire house and set up everything. (which my parents and I did in record time I might add.) And I love it. It's a fabulous neighborhood with lots of green stuff we call grass.

Now back to our road trip. Just when I thought that I had accomplished this really hard thing of driving 1,200 miles with 3 kids. My parents decided to go 50 miles further to Omaha to see the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple. We all piled in the car (AGAIN) and headed that way.

As we strolled through the temple grounds I got to thinking about all the wonderful things I have in my life. I have awesome parents and in-laws, a loving husband, fantastic sisters and 3 beautiful kids. I mean really, life ain't too bad. Just when I was enjoying this moment of bliss, we strolled into the Mormon trail center. http://www.lds.org/church/places-to-visit/mormon-trail-center-at-historic-winter-quarters 

We took a quick tour and again I was told the story of the pioneers and how they made their trek from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City. Now, I  needed to get to Nebraska that's for sure. My husband was there and he was waiting for us. But, I didn't pull a handcart or sleep in a wagon. I didn't have to walk without shoes across the plains or mountains. I didn't lose any of my loved ones along the way. In fact, I suddenly realized that I was VERY LUCKY.

 Grace playing the part of a pioneer girl pulling a handcart.

McGwire and Fox tryin to pull a big handcart over a little bitty rock. As you can see it was not easy!

After that moving experience I have decided to not to complain about life's little inconveniences or sweat the small stuff, because in the grand scheme of things, I have been blessed beyong measure!  It was a good reminder for me. I am sure glad my parents decided to drive the extra 50 miles up the road.

 

"Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning."

Everyone has heard the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words." This picture is worth 13. More specifically, 13 years of marriage. This photo is the sum total of the last 13 years of my life. It hasn't always been easy. In fact (honestly speaking) some of those days, either one of us easily could have thrown in the towel and walked away. We didn't. But, there has also been those moments. Dancing in the kitchen to our song on the radio moments, laughing with each other until the tears come moments, Trying so hard not to fall asleep because we want to keep talking to each other moments. It's those moments that I cherish. It's those moments that keep me going when it's not easy being married (and sometimes it's not always easy) But I wouldn't want it any other way. I look forward to many more moments, good or bad, with the man I married 13 years ago today. Happy Anniversary Nicholas. I truly am thankful for each and every moment we've had together.

We are at T-minus 10 Days People!

10 days from now I'll be in Nebraska er- scratch that...I'll be HEADED to Nebraska. Yep. I am looking down the barrel of a 3 day car ride complete with 2 children and a 5 month old. Yahoo, I can't wait. No really. I can't wait. My feet are lonely. And I by that, I mean my feet miss my husband, especially at night time because we do this thing where my foot fits perfectly in the spot just below his ankle.  I've fallen asleep many a night with my foot securely in that soft, perfect spot. I am seriously excited thinking that in a few days (give or take 13) I get to play footsies with the cutest guy I know.